Police 'Missed Opportunities' Before Kelly Wilkinson's Murder, Inquest Reveals
A coronial inquest into the brutal murder of Gold Coast mother Kelly Wilkinson has shed light on police 'missed opportunities' in their response to her domestic violence complaints in the weeks before her tragic death. The 27-year-old was stabbed and set alight outside her home in April 2021.
Her estranged husband, former US marine Brian Earl Johnston, is serving a life sentence in prison after confessing to the murder. The inquest, held at the Southport Coroners Court, is examining the interactions between Ms. Wilkinson and Johnston with the police leading up to her death.
It also delves into whether Queensland police have implemented appropriate policy and procedural changes since the incident. One particularly concerning incident occurred when Ms. Wilkinson attended the Southport Police Station to report Johnston's breach of a temporary protection order. However, it was logged as a 'street check' by an officer, despite the nature of the complaint.
Detective Inspector Paul Fletcher, head of the Gold Coast Domestic, Family Violence (DFV) and Vulnerable Persons Unit (DVU), stated that street checks are not suitable for domestic violence matters, as they can 'get lost in the system' and are not referred to by the vulnerable person's unit in daily reviews. He also criticized the officer's file note, which suggested Ms. Wilkinson was 'cop shopping' for the desired outcome, as 'wildly inappropriate'.
Another incident nine days before the murder involved Johnston being 'incorrectly' granted 'station bail' when he attended the police station charged with raping Ms. Wilkinson. Under Queensland's bail act, he should have been remanded in custody for a magistrate to hear the matter. Queensland Police has since taken disciplinary action against the officers involved.
Detective Inspector Fletcher acknowledged the potential impact of different police responses, stating it was 'hard to say' if they could have changed the outcome for Ms. Wilkinson. He emphasized the need for 'holistic' responses to domestic violence, considering the entire background of the relationship and the individual's history.
Following the tragic incident, Queensland Police has implemented several changes. All officers in the Gold Coast's DVU must now undergo a five-day specialist course to enhance their skills in handling domestic and family violence cases. Additionally, officers must check the police database for further context when conducting risk assessments and work through each risk factor with the person making the complaint.
The inquest is set to conclude on Thursday, with a focus on ensuring comprehensive and effective responses to domestic violence complaints to prevent future tragedies.
